Government contemplating 'KG to PG' institutions

The Central Government is thinking on the lines of introducing 'KG to PG' institutions across the educationally backward districts in the country.

The HRD Ministry is currently in possession of the proposal and the sources indicate that the Union Budget, to be presented on 28th February, could include an announcement regarding the same.

Accepting that it is not an entirely new idea as there are some institutions of this kind in some states, a source in the HRD ministry said that the ministry plans to take this forward keeping in mind the plight of the poor people who are forced to migrate to bigger cities to pursue their higher degree.

In these institutions, the students who take admission at the Kindergarten level would be given preference since they are promoted to higher education at the same institute.

Some of the existing institutions of this kind are the Viswa Bharti, Jamia Milia Islamia and the Banasthali University.

Similar plans were announced by the Chhattisgarh Government in order to promote tribal education in the backward areas of the state.

According to highly placed sources, the Government could opt for a 50:50 PPP mode of funding for the project by joining hands the private players who are interested in investing in education. Some states could also be urged to donate land for the complexes free of cost.

There are also indications that the Government is planning to raise the education cess from current 1% to 2% in order to boost up education reforms in the country.